Despite his transfer problems, the Super Eagles have included Ademola Lookman on their final squad for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa next month.
Ademola Lookman has yet to feature for Atalanta on account of a transfer standoff in which his Italian club have rejected bids from local rivals Inter Milan for the forward.
The 27-year-old forward has therefore been training on his own while recovering from a calf injury.
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has also been selected to allay fears that injury while in action for his South African club is not as seriously feared.
Coach Eric Chelle has also named Victor Osimhen, captain William Troost Ekong Captain William Ekong as well as England-based stars Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina.
Greece-based goalie Adeleye Adebayo returns to the group, alongside Unity Cup sensations Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredericks, and forwards Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare, who both impressed in the friendly with Russia in Moscow on June 6.
The Super Eagles confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in a Matchday 7 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, September 6, before flying to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a Matchday 8 fixture on Tuesday, September 9.
FINAL LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)
